As you would have no doubt read by now, after much consideration, I have decided to resign from the Labour Party.

The ongoing issues around my suspension from the Labour Party have become a distraction from the key political issue of our time – which is to replace a Tory government overseeing falling living standards and spiralling poverty, while starving our schools and the NHS of the vital resources they need.

This week marks the 15th anniversary of the beginning of the disastrous Bush and Blair war in Iraq. This war led to 100,000s of deaths and made the world, including Britain, a more dangerous place. The 15th anniversary should be seen as a timely reminder of how trust in politics got broken, where we are and where we need to go from here.

With the NHS facing the biggest financial squeeze in its history — and as a result staff vacancies reaching 100,000 — we are all facing the consequences of the Tories’ failure when it comes to the NHS, making a major demonstration this Saturday for #OurNHS all the more important.

I was proud that in the 1980s when I led the GLC - including through the work of our Gay Rights working party and the opening of the London Lesbian and Gay Centre - led the way in fighting oppression.

Like many Labour poltiicians I was proud to speak out against the Tories' prejudice and their hated Section 28.

Then as Mayor of London we set up the UK's first Partnership Register in 2001, which paved the way for the 2004 Civil Partnership Act; successfully lobbied for new anti-discrimination laws to protect the LGBT community; embarked on high profile projects targeting anti-homophobic bullying in schools; and banned ads for holiday resorts that discriminated against lesbian and gay people, forcing them to change their policies (read more at http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2007/07/lesbian-gay-livingstone-london .)

Any attack on rights of lesbian and gay people undermines all of our human rights. This is why it is important to support LGBT equality, challenge discrimination and celebrate diversity in this country

Theresa May entered the general election promising to be a strong and stable leader but is now reliant on the deeply reactionary DUP to govern, after one of the biggest own goals in British political history. Her government will be deeply unstable and can be defeated.

One reason why she can be defeated is that the scale of enthusiasm generated for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour message during the General Election campaign – especially amongst younger voters - was stunning and can provide a base to build on and change the direction of British politics for years to come.

Labour’s electoral gains under Jeremy’s leadership were a remarkable achievement considering what he has faced over the last two years since he declared he was running for Labour leader.

This General Election campaign so far, with three weeks to go, has been marked by Theresa May refusing to take part in TV debates with Labour’s leader to defend the Tory record, and being generally elusive in terms of economic policy commitments, including in the area of taxation.

We all know that Chancellor Philip Hammond wanted to put up National Insurance Contributions to the tune of £2 billion in the last budget, but was forced into a u-turn.

Now, in the General Election campaign so far both Philip Hammond and Theresa May have refused to rule out more increases that could hit those with low and middle incomes.

Unlike the Tories, by committing to not raising income tax, NICs and VAT on 95% of earners, Labour has been clear that a fair share of the burden should fall on the super-rich at the very top, who are being given massive tax giveaways by the Tories, while the aforementioned 95 per cent should be spared having to pay more.